Components: JSJ Baits uses all stainless steel hardware on their baits and each bait comes packaged with a spare tail. In addition, the hooks are Owner brand hooks, so swapping is not necessary for those preferring this brand of hooks.

Here's a close-up of the extra joint in the 3-joint version.

Each JSJ Bait comes equipped with Owner Hooks.

Durability: The year long goal with this bait was to get to toss it in the midst of the Fall run Striper on the California Delta. Unfortunately, on the few occasions I made it out last Fall, I was unable to find the bite. This was to be the durability test for this bait, but things just didn't work out. As such, on the handful of bass I did catch with these baits, they still look just about as good as new. The finishes on the Snack Size Trout appear to be very durable.

The Snack Size Trout is a good choice for tournament anglers
looking to get into the big bait craze yet not hurt their chances to catch a
limit.

Application & Effectiveness: Though I've managed fish on both baits, If I were to choose one, the 3-joint (or 4-piece) version is my favorite. I'm much more of a slow, steady retrieve type of fisherman than an erratic retrieve guy and the 3-joint Snack Size Trout suits my fishing style the best.

An Alabama Bass that fell victim to the Snack Size Trout at DreamLake...

Availability: The Original Snack Size Trout is widely available and is now offered in seven different colors including the new Baby Bass and Light Trout colors. The Special Edition 3-joint version was formerly a Monster Tackle exclusive but is now available for all retailers to order, so if your favorite store has the original, but you want to check out the 3-joint before buying it, have them order it up for you and keep Josh busy in the shop making baits.

Ratings:

JSJ Baits Snack Size Trout Ratings (?/10)

Construction/Quality

Each bait is handmade from start to finish by Josh St. John himself

8

Performance

Each of our baits swam true out of the box

8

Price

Right in line with other hand made baits

6

Features

SS components, Owner brand hooks, and a spare tail are all very nice touches

9

Design (Ergonomics)

We like having the choice between the three and four piece versions

8.5

Application

Fished from top to bottom, erratic, or on a steady retrieve, there's a Snack Size Trout for each style of fishing or any combination there of.

Conclusion: Once considered a rather niche market cornered by highly regarded, yet secretive companies, the big bait scene is bursting at the seams with new and established manufacturers bringing their interpretation to market seemingly every month. With this rush to market comes natural skepticism as to the quality, durability, and even fishability of these new products. Approached with an open mind, most of these issues take time on the water to prove or disprove. Hence the backlog of product now sitting on the decks of our boats here at TackleTour.Alternatively, once a product has worked its way through our review cycle and into publication, it is often put aside to give time to the next, new product in line.

...and yes, it also works clear across the country back home in California.

So it is with a little regret we record our time with JSJ's Snack Sized Trout in the review annals and move onto the next product. This bait is a blast to fish and really easy to dedicate to throwing all day long. It entices quality sized fish into biting (a boon for tournament anglers) and what's more, if you lose the bait to a snag or break off, they're relatively easy to source - at least for now. Of course, in this instance, the melancholy of moving onto the next bait is tempered by the fact that sitting behind the Snack Sized Trout is its younger sibling, the Snack Sized Bluegill. For now, the best way to reinforce our recommendation for this product is to bestow upon it, TackleTour's Editor's Choice Award! It's time for you to tie one on, toss it out, and crank up those lunkers!